Explosive projectile.



E. s. WALES. EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, I916- Patented J une 5, 1917.

ENI D S. WALES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRIETTA K.

PIERCE, 01-? DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

Application filed May 22,1916.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ENID S. VVnLns,a citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Detroit, in the county of Wayneand State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive Projectiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to wire entanglement projectiles and to an arrangement thereof whereby masses of barbed wire or the like may be hurled over any area within range of the weapon used in such manner as to afford adequate impedance to a movement of troops over the ground.

This invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partially broken away and in section, of a projectile embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the body of the projectile with the entanglement removed therefrom, and with a portion shown in section; and

Fig. 3 is a view in section through one of the lateral extensions of the projectile showing a sli- 'ht modification in the application of the wire entanglement.

As herein shown, a stem 1 adapted to fit the barrel of a trench mortar or like piece of ordnance, carries a chambered head 2 having lateral projections 3 that are preferably disposed symmetrically and are likewise best of frusto-conical form with rifled axial openings 4: therethrough. Or the bores 4 may be smooth. A wire-releasing stud 5 is provided for each bore and is suitably secured as by a detachable head 6 in screw-threaded engagement with its outer end to a companion coil of barbed wire 7 or the like laid regularly around the projeotions with the inner portion secured as at 9 to the body of the projectile.

A percussion cap 10 with appropriate means laid through the opening 11 in each stud,may be used to fire the charge in the chamber or a time fuse may be employed. Preferably the coils of wire may be laid on so as to be untwisted by the rotary motion imparted to the stud by the rifling.

If preferred the wires may be arranged in concentric coils with spacing members Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

Serial No. 99,055.

the progress of troops that are moving against the points to be protected after the ordinary entanglements have been swept away by the usual preparatory artillery fire.

It is to be understood that the form and disposition of the parts of the projectiles will vary to meet the different requirements of service and that such modifications as may be needed can be made.

Obviously, changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not care to limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of parts.

What I claim is 1. Ari explosive projectile carrying wire coils detachably secured on the exterior and having means adapted to project the Wirev in various directions when the projectile is disrupted by a contained charge.

2. An explosive projectile comprising a stem, a chambered head on the stem carrying an explosive charge, wire coils arranged on the exterior of the head, and means carried by the head adapted to project the wire therefrom when the charge is exploded.

3. An explosive projectile comprising a stem, a chambered head on the stem,-extensions from the surface of the head, coils of wire disposed on the extensions, and means in the extensions connected to the wire for distributing the latter in various directions when the charge carried by the head is exploded.

4;. An explosive projectile comprising a stem adapted to be inserted in a piece of ordnance, a chambered head with charge secured on the stem, lateral extensions from the head, wire coils disposed on the extensions, and means secured to the outer ends of the coils and adapted to be projected with a rifiing motion from the head by the explosion of the charge thereof.

5. An explosive projectile comprising a stem adapted to fit the barrel of a piece of ordnance, a chambered head thereon, lateral extensions on the head provided with rifled openings, studs fitting the openings, coils of Wire disposed on the extensions each secured to a stud and means on the stud for firing the charge in the head chamber.

6. An explosive projectile comprising a stem adapted to fit the barrel of a piece of ordnance, a chambered head thereon, conoidal extensions from the head provided With axial rifled openings, studs fitting the openings, coils of barbed Wire mounted on the extensions and connected at the outer end portions to the studs, and means for holding the coil layers in spaced relation.

7. An explosive projectile comprising a stem adapted to be inserted in a barrel of a piece of ordnance, a chambered head on the v stem, lateral extensions on the head having substantially axial rifled bores, studs each inserted in and engaged by a rifled bore, charge exploding members on the outer por tions of the studs, Wire coils each Wound on an extension With the same pitch direction as the rifiing of the extension bores, and secured at the outer end portiont'o the cornpanion stud, and means for firing an explosion charge in the head chamber. v

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ENID S. WALES. Witnesses: I

C. R. STIGKNEY,

ANNA M.*D0RR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "commlssioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

